The Woburn post office was officially dedicated Sunday to a veteran police officer killed in the line of duty.

John Jack Maguire, 60, was killed in an exchange of gunfire on Dec. 26, 2010, while responding to a robbery at Kohls department store.

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Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Scott Brown and Congressman Ed Markey were among nine lawmakers who co-sponsored federal legislation to rename the city's post office as the "Officer John Maguire Post Office." The bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama on Nov. 23, 2011.

Officer Maguire paid the ultimate price protecting the citizens of Woburn, said Markey. We are incredibly grateful for his selfless acts that tragic day, which capped more than three decades of outstanding dedication to the safety and security of the people of Woburn.

Maguire, a 34-year veteran of the force, was chasing the suspects when gunfire broke out and he was shot four times. He died later at the hospital.

The post office on Washington Street is just a few streets away from where the shooting took place.

Sundays ceremony was attended by family members, elected officials and hundreds of members of the Woburn community.

"The City of Woburn received the best kind of law enforcement in the bravery, courage and heroism illustrated by Jack Maguire on that cold December day," said Markey. "It is an honor and a privilege to be here with his family, his brother Chuck, his children Shawn, Tara, and Bryan, and his loving wife, Desiree."

Police said Dominic Cinelli, 57, a career criminal out on parole after serving time for three life sentences, was the triggerman who shot Maguire. Cinelli was also killed in the exchange of gunfire.

Two other men, both from Wakefield, were arrested and charged in connection with the robbery and slaying.

Maguire was the first police officer ever killed in the line of duty in Woburn. He was just months from retirement.